If asked about what my thoughts are about period… I would have to say that I have an undeniably love-hate relationship with my period. Why? Because, for as long as I can remember, I was thrilled when I got my very first period back in 7th grade. I finally became a woman, so to speak. However, the process that I had to experience was very taxing — a day filled with crappy feelings like tiredness and pain.
As time goes on, after encountering numerous “first day”, it becomes quite clear that pain is included as a complete package of period and womanhood. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that every woman undergoes a different kind of level when it comes to menstrual cramps and pain. Some have them mildly and not disrupting daily activities, while others might not be able to function properly for the day and require to have bed rest.
What’s Normal and What’s Not?
Many women have painful periods, also called dysmenorrhea, where they experience menstrual cramps — a throbbing, cramping pain in the lower abdomen. Other than the cramps, the uneasiness from period may also be symptoms like lower back pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and headaches.
Period pain is considered ‘normal’ if…
- The pain is only experienced on the first 1-2 days of period
- The pain goes away if period pain medication or contraceptive pill is consumed
- The pain does not impair the ability to do normal daily activities
If the pain isn’t like the above, then it is not normal.
What Causes The Pain?
There are two types of dysmenorrhea, primary and secondary, where each has different causes.
- Pain in the uterine (womb) muscle (myometrium), especially if the pain is on the first one or two days of a period
- Pain from certain conditions on the uterus or other reproductive organs, especially if the pain is present for more than one to two days before the period starts.
Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common kind of period pain, that is usually caused by having too many prostaglandins — the chemicals that uterus makes. These chemicals make the muscles of the uterus tighten and relax, and this causes the cramps. The pain can start a day or two before your period. It normally lasts for a few days, though in some women it can last longer.
Secondary dysmenorrhea often starts later in life and is caused by conditions that affect the uterus or other reproductive organs, such as adenomyosis, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Many women with strong period pain have both these problems, and women with adenomyosis have a more painful uterus than other women, even if it looks normal. This kind of pain often gets worse over time, which may begin before the period starts and continue after the period ends.
How to Relieve the Pain?
The discomfort of period pain can be overcome in several effective ways that can be done easily. But, if your period cramps seem severe or you don’t get relief despite trying some of these options, check with your doctor to rule out more serious health issues.
1. Improving DietResearch has shown that reducing fat and increasing vegetables in your diet may help ease monthly cramps. “A low-fat diet actually decreases overall levels of inflammation in the body,” says Aldo Palmieri MD, an ob-gyn at UCLA Health. Overall, try to get 25–35% of your total daily calories from healthier fats found in fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.